Euromatch–NPFL: Kwara United Coach Ashifat Draws Positives From Disappointing Kano Pillars Draw
Retold by Oddsrama · 1 September 2026
Kwara United's opening-day 2–2 draw against Kano Pillars may have felt short of the mark, but coach Suleiman Ashifat is reading the match through a lens of cautious optimism. Facing a Kano side loaded with experience and tactical discipline, Kwara clawed back from two goals down to grab a point at home—and for a team still bedding in a squad of mostly fresh faces, that resilience speaks volumes. With just four holdovers from last season and a raft of new signings still finding their feet together, the Ilorin outfit's ability to fight back suggests the foundations are solid, even if the execution remains patchy.
Ashifat has been explicit: Kwara are a work in progress. The squad overhaul was always going to require time for blend and chemistry to develop, and Sunday's comeback proved the new recruits have the bottle to compete against established, well-organised opposition. That's the kind of character that can shift seasons. The challenge now is consistency and fine-tuning—turning individual flashes of quality into sustained performance across ninety minutes.
This weekend brings a trip to Plateau United, and Ashifat expects his side to take another step forward. The manager clearly believes the group will improve as familiarity deepens; for bettors, that's worth noting. Early-season NPFL fixtures involving teams in transition can offer value, especially if you're backing a side showing fight and growth despite not being at full throttle yet. Kwara's willingness to come from behind suggests they won't be a pushover, even as they continue their rebuild.
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